How to sync Google services with Windows

Applies to Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1

As of January 30, 2013, Google stopped supporting new EAS (Exchange ActiveSync) connections in some cases. EAS is a technology that helps you sync your email, calendar, and contacts across multiple devices (like your desktop, laptop, and tablet). This means that from January 30, 2013, the Google services you can sync with your PC running Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, and how you sync them, will change.

To sync your email and contacts, you’ll need to remove your existing Google accounts and reconnect them. It’s important to note that if you have more than one Google account, you can only get your contacts for one account. You'll no longer be able to sync your Google calendar with the Calendar app, but you can see your events by moving them to Outlook.com. For more info, see How to see your Google events in the Calendar app.

To sync your email

If you have any email drafts, before you reconnect your mail, you might want to copy and paste these into a separate file (like a word-processing app) and save it.

In the Mail app, look for any Gmail account that has a Needs attention notification, tap or click it, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

To sync your contacts

There are two ways to sync your contacts—from the Mail app or from the People app.

From the Mail app. If you’re reconnecting your email in the Mail app using the method described earlier, you might also see a message indicating that you can add your Google contacts. If you do, enter the email address and password for the Google account you want to sync contacts from (remember, you can only sync contacts for one account) and follow on-screen instructions.

From the People app. You can also reconnect your Google account from the People app, but first you need to remove all accounts that have a Needs attention notification. Here’s how:

In the People app, swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, and then click Settings.)

Tap or click Accounts, look for the Gmail account that has a Needs attention notification, and then tap or click it.

Tap or click Remove account.

Now you’re ready to reconnect your Google account to sync your contacts. First, check to see if there are any other Google accounts listed in the People app. If you see one, and it’s the one you want to sync your contacts from, you’re done. If it’s not the one you want, here’s how to remove it and add a different Google account:

Tap or click the Gmail account, and then tap or click Manage this account online.

Sign in with your Microsoft account, and then tap or click Remove this connection completely.
For more info about Microsoft account, see

Now, you can connect the Google account you want to the People app. For more info on how to do this, see People app help.